Bangkok: Many parties have come together under the “Thailand Must Survive, Save Thailand” campaign, urging people to navigate through the ongoing crisis.
According to Thai News Agency, ThaiPublica, an online news agency, organized a seminar titled “Thailand Must Survive: Save Thailand Restore. Reframe. Rise” at Grand Center Point Lumpini. During the event, Dr. Suphawut Saicheua, Chairman of the National Economic and Social Development Council, highlighted the stagnation in the Thai economy, with continuous GDP decline and a worsening situation for SMEs compared to the COVID-19 period. He emphasized the need for Thailand to transition towards a service-oriented economy and identify new strengths in the industrial sector.
Dr. Roong Mallikamas, Deputy Governor for Financial Institutions Stability at the Bank of Thailand, discussed external pressures like geopolitical tensions and domestic issues such as an aging society and high household debt, which threaten the country’s economic credit rating. She proposed three approaches for economic progression: setting a clear development direction, creating conducive rules, and fostering cooperation between the government, private, and financial sectors.
Mr. Payon Srivanich, Chairman of the Thai Bankers’ Association, expressed concerns over unresolved economic issues remaining as rhetoric without practical action. He pointed out the challenges of an informal workforce demanding unbalanced welfare and the need for better data integration and coordination among government agencies. The Reinvent Thailand platform was cited as a collaborative space for exchanging information and solutions to enhance the economy’s competitiveness and reduce inequality.
Dr. Naphat Jatusripitak, Managing Director of Siam Matrix Consulting Co., Ltd., stressed the importance of investing in public goods and universal access to AI technology to yield significant economic and social returns. He noted the potential impact of AI on the labor market and advocated for mechanisms to facilitate workers’ transitions to new job roles.
In the agricultural sector, Dr. Rassarin Chinchotithanan, CEO of Listenfield, highlighted the need for technological integration to drive growth. Projects with companies like Kubota and Unilever are aimed at enhancing productivity and sustainability, offering farmers opportunities to increase income and comply with sustainability standards.